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Your Kidney’s New Year Resolution | Renal Health

Your Kidney’s New Year’s Resolution!

The following are handouts and information we present to our patients to help them understand how diet can effect problems of the kidneys.

You need Potassium and Iron

Potassium helps nerves and muscles work properly. The kidneys help keep the right amount of potassium in the body. High potassium can cause tiredness, irregular heartbeats or stop the heart without warning.

Sodium aids the body in man functions. Controlling muscle contractions, balancing fluids and controlling blood pressure. Kidneys remove the excess sodium in the urine. As the kidney fails, sodium and fluids may be retained causing swelling of the eyes, hands and legs. Reducing sodium in the diet helps to reduce high blood pressure.

Look for these on food labels: Low Sodium, No Salt Added, Sodium Reduced and Unsalted.

Do not use salt substitutes as they contain potassium. Look for products that contain less than 100 mg of salt per serving.

High Sodium Foods

Bacon

Bouillon cubes

Soups (Canned, dehydrated, instant)

Canned Vegetables

Cold Cuts

Salted Nuts

Chips

Processed/Boxed Meals/Frozen Meals/Fully Prepared Meals

Table Salt

Low Sodium Alternatives

Season foods with spices, herbs like garlic and oregano, no salt seasoning blends

Fresh Lemon or Lime Juice

Phosphorous

Phosphorous works with calcium to keep bones, nerves and muscles healthy and strong. When the kidney fails, it can not get rid of excess phosphorous. The level of phosphorous increases in the body and the body can not take in enough calcium. The calcium levels go down in the body. The body them takes calcium from the bones, weakening them. High phosphorous can cause itchy skin, painful joints and bones, brittle bones, calcium skin ulcers and calcium buildup in the blood vessels. Avoid foods high in phosphorous.

Foods High in Phosphorous

Beer

Caramel

Cheese

Chicken

Chocolate

Cola Drinks

Cream Soups

Dried Beans

Ice Cream

Milk

Nuts

Peanut and Nut Butters

Peas

Sardines

Foods Low in Phosphorous

Broccoli

Butter

Cream Cheese

Heavy Cream

Non-Dairy Milk Substitute

Non-Cola Drinks

Ricotta and Brie Cheese

Rice Milk

Sherbet

Zucchini

Calcium

Too much calcium can cause constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, confusion and a metallic taste in the mouth. Not enough calcium can cause numbness, muscle aches and seizures.

Protein is needed by the body to maintain muscles, aid in building resistance to infections, repair and replace body tissue. As the body breaks down protein, a waste product called urea is formed. As the kidney fails, the urea is poorly eliminated and accumulates in the bloodstream. If not on dialysis, reduce your protein intake. If on dialysis, take in high quality proteins.